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TRICARE and Military OneSource Mental Health Resources
Mental health is just as vital as physical health for personal well-being, family stability, and military readiness. The unique demands of military life—deployments, PCS moves, relationship stress, grief—can impact anyone. TRICARE provides clinical treatment for mental health conditions, while Military OneSource offers free, confidential non-medical counseling and support resources.
If you need immediate support, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
Navigating TRICARE for Mental Health
TRICARE provides comprehensive coverage for medically necessary mental health services. Understanding coverage, eligibility, access to care, and costs is essential for using this benefit effectively.
Covered Mental Health Services
TRICARE covers a wide range of mental health services, including:
- Psychotherapy: Individual, group, and family counseling for mental health disorders, coping with crises, and behavior modification
- Psychoanalysis: Covered when provided by specifically certified providers and with pre-authorization
- Psychological Testing: Covered when needed for diagnosis or treatment planning, but not for academic placement or custody disputes
- Medication Management: Psychotropic medications prescribed by authorized providers as part of a treatment plan
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment: Includes detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, outpatient services, and various levels of rehabilitative care
Levels of Care
TRICARE covers multiple levels of mental health treatment:
- Outpatient Care: Standard office visits with mental health providers
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): More structured treatment for several hours per day, multiple days per week, with patients living at home
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Daytime treatment for six or more hours daily, up to seven days per week, with patients returning home in the evenings
- Residential Treatment Centers (RTC): 24/7 structured care for children and adolescents under 21 with serious mental health conditions
- Inpatient Hospitalization: 24-hour medical and psychiatric support for acute conditions requiring safety monitoring and stabilization
TRICARE also covers electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), collateral visits with family members, and certain ancillary therapies (art, music, dance, occupational) when part of structured treatment programs.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for Autism Spectrum Disorder and cognitive rehabilitation therapy for certain conditions are covered with specific requirements.
TRICARE Eligibility
All TRICARE beneficiaries can access mental health benefits, but how you access care depends on your beneficiary status and TRICARE plan:
- Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs): Must generally seek care at military treatment facilities (MTFs) when available. Referrals and pre-authorizations are required for civilian mental health care
- Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs): Access depends on your TRICARE plan (Prime, Select)
- Retirees & Families: Access varies by TRICARE plan
- Guard/Reserve Members: Non-activated members and families can access care through TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
- TRICARE For Life Beneficiaries: Medicare serves as primary payer in the U.S., with TRICARE covering remaining costs for covered services
Accessing Mental Health Care
Getting care through TRICARE varies based on your status:
Emergency Care
For mental health emergencies, go immediately to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Pre-authorization is not required for the emergency visit.
If emergency care leads to inpatient admission, your regional contractor must be notified within 24 hours (or next business day), and the admission must be reported within 72 hours.
Non-Emergency Care
Requirements vary by beneficiary category:
- Active Duty Service Members: Must seek care at MTFs when available. Referrals and pre-authorization are required for civilian care. The Brandon Act allows service members to confidentially request mental health evaluations.
- TRICARE Prime Beneficiaries (non-ADSM): Can self-refer to network psychiatrists or psychologists within their region without referrals. Referrals needed for non-network providers, psychoanalysis, and outpatient SUD therapy.
- TRICARE Select: Generally no referrals needed for outpatient mental health care (except psychoanalysis and SUD therapy). Pre-authorization required for inpatient care.
- TRICARE For Life: Follow Medicare’s rules for accessing care. TRICARE authorization typically only needed if Medicare benefits are exhausted.
Finding Providers
Use the official TRICARE provider directories to find mental health professionals:
- Central Directory: https://tricare.mil/FindDoctor
- Regional Contractor Directories:
- TRICARE East (Humana Military): https://tricare.mil/east
- TRICARE West (TriWest): https://tricare.mil/west
- TRICARE Overseas (International SOS): https://www.tricare-overseas.com
Network providers have agreements with TRICARE, generally resulting in lower costs and direct claims filing.
Understanding TRICARE Costs
Out-of-pocket costs vary based on your beneficiary category and plan:
- Active Duty Service Members: Pay nothing for covered services
- Active Duty Family Members:
- TRICARE Prime: Generally no copayments for network provider services
- TRICARE Select: Annual deductible plus copayments or cost-shares
- Retirees and Families:
- TRICARE Prime: Annual enrollment fees plus copayments
- TRICARE Select: Annual enrollment fees, deductibles, plus copayments or cost-shares
A catastrophic cap limits the maximum amount families pay out-of-pocket annually.
Cost Comparison Example (2025 Rates, Group B)
Mental Health Cost Comparison Table:
| Service | TRICARE Prime ADFM (Network) | TRICARE Select ADFM (Network / Non-Network) | TRICARE Prime Retiree (Network) | TRICARE Select Retiree (Network / Non-Network) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Deductible | $0 | $193 Ind / $386 Fam | $0 | $193 Ind / $386 Fam (Network) $386 Ind / $772 Fam (Non-Network) |
| Outpatient MH – Primary Care | $0 | $19 Copay / 20% Cost-Share | $25 Copay | $32 Copay / 25% Cost-Share |
| Outpatient MH – Specialty Care | $0 | $32 Copay / 20% Cost-Share | $38 Copay | $51 Copay / 25% Cost-Share |
| Inpatient MH Admission (per admit) | $0 | $77 Copay / 20% Cost-Share | $193 Copay | $225 Copay / 25% Cost-Share |
For current cost information, visit the TRICARE Compare Costs tool: https://tricare.mil/Costs/Compare
Telemental Health Options
TRICARE covers telemental health services, allowing you to connect with providers through secure video or audio platforms.
- Access: Active duty members need referrals; TRICARE Prime family members and retirees don’t need referrals for network telehealth providers
- Finding Telehealth Providers: Contact your regional contractor:
- East Region: 800-444-5445
- West Region: 888-TRIWEST (874-9378)
- Overseas: Visit https://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us
Military OneSource Support Services
Military OneSource is a Department of Defense program providing comprehensive support services to the military community.
What Military OneSource Offers
Military OneSource serves as a central hub connecting service members and families with information, resources, and support for nearly every aspect of military life. It’s available 24/7 worldwide to eligible individuals.
Free Confidential Non-Medical Counseling
A key offering is free, short-term, solution-focused counseling delivered by licensed professionals.
What’s Covered
Non-medical counseling addresses common life stressors and adjustments:
- Relationship challenges
- Work and deployment stress
- Communication skills
- Parenting strategies
- Grief and loss
- Decision-making
What’s Not Covered
Non-medical counseling is not appropriate for:
- Crisis situations
- Mental health conditions requiring diagnosis/treatment
- Substance use disorders
- Court-ordered counseling
- Family Advocacy Program cases
Individuals with these needs will be guided to more appropriate resources.
Session Information
- Up to 12 free counseling sessions per specific issue
- Available in-person, by phone, secure online chat, or video
Additional Support Services
Military OneSource offers specialized consultations in many areas:
- Financial Counseling: Budgeting, debt management, financial planning
- Health & Wellness Coaching: Goal-setting for fitness, nutrition, stress management
- Spouse Education & Career Support: Education guidance, career coaching, employment resources
- Parenting & Childcare Support: New parent resources, childcare referrals
- Special Needs Consultations: Guidance for families with special needs members
- Elder Care Support: Resources for caring for aging family members
- Adoption and Foster Care Resources
- Language Services: Translation and interpretation in over 150 languages
- Wounded Warrior Support: Resources for injured service members and caregivers
The website offers articles, guides, checklists, and digital tools to support military life.
Military OneSource Eligibility
The following individuals can access Military OneSource services:
- Active duty service members and families
- National Guard and Reserve members and families (regardless of activation status)
- Survivors of deceased service members
- Retired service members and families (for 365 days post-separation)
- Wounded warriors and their caregivers/families
- Designated Department of Defense expeditionary civilians
Coast Guard members and families typically use CG SUPRT but become eligible for Military OneSource when activated under Title 10.
Accessing Military OneSource
Military OneSource is available 24/7/365:
- Phone: 1-800-342-9647
- Online: https://www.militaryonesource.mil
- International calling options available on the website
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Military OneSource services. Personal information shared during counseling is generally not disclosed to command, family members, or outside agencies.
Exceptions to confidentiality exist for situations involving danger to self or others, child/elder abuse, illegal activities, or court orders.
Choosing Between TRICARE and Military OneSource
Understanding the differences helps you select the right resource:
Key Differences
| Feature | TRICARE | Military OneSource |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Service | Clinical healthcare/health insurance | Non-medical support/information & referral |
| Focus | Diagnosis & treatment of mental health conditions | Coping with life stressors, short-term support |
| Cost | Varies by plan (copays, deductibles may apply) | Free |
| Best For | Diagnosed conditions, medication management, long-term therapy, intensive treatment | Life stress, relationship issues, practical problems, confidential first step |
When to Use Both
These services complement each other. You might use TRICARE for clinical treatment while accessing Military OneSource for financial counseling, relocation assistance, or relationship support.
Specialized Support Programs
TRICARE Specialized Programs
TRICARE covers specialized programs for specific conditions and populations:
- Child and Adolescent Care: Residential treatment centers, psychological testing, and Applied Behavior Analysis for autism
- PTSD Treatment: Evidence-based therapies and medication management through specialized programs
- Substance Use Disorder: Comprehensive treatment options including detox, medication-assisted treatment, and residential care
Military OneSource Specialized Support
Military OneSource offers tailored support for specific needs:
- Youth Counseling: Available for children and teens ages 6-17
- Wounded Warrior Support: Specialized consultations for injured service members and caregivers
- Relationship Resources: Building Healthy Relationships consultations and programs
Crisis Resources
For immediate help:
- Emergency: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line: Call 988 and Press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net
Key Contacts
TRICARE:
- Main website: https://tricare.mil
- East Region: 800-444-5445 | https://tricare.mil/east
- West Region: 888-TRIWEST (874-9378) | https://tricare.mil/west
- Overseas: https://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us
- TRICARE For Life: 866-773-0404
Military OneSource:
- Phone: 1-800-342-9647
- Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.